Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1887-10-06
TEXAS LETTER.
An Interesting letter From Former
Iowa Editor.

Your humble servant, having quito an OK
tended acquaintance throughout the North,
has been written to by great many people
soliciting information pertaining to this great,
little known and much abused conntry. The
writer cannot censure the people OF the North
vest who are peerless Ia the degree Of uni
yersal knowledge possessed, for their seeming
ly ineScusahle ignorance OF th!s country, It's
people and It's climate, for he had equal oppor-
tunities OF obtaining information with others
OF the North, before coming here, and yet
knew but little, aud that little was OF n mis-.
leading aud hurtful character. However can,
did the interrogatory or inquiry might have
been, the invariable reply to the question OF
what DO they raise In Texas, was few years
ago, "hell aud niggers and democratic ma
jorlty," II Is true that the negro thrlves well
here, as likewise does the Caucasian race, aud
Il Is also true that tho democratic party OBJ
talns that nourshment here that enables II to
lead the procession In the list OF democratic
malority.going states coalition that gave II
nd particularly bright side nor communicable
virtue TO the ardent republican Of tho North,
who had never mingled with the democrat of
tho South since autl bellum times when the
industrial aud commercial interests OF dltror-
ent sections Of the country were opposed,
through false conception OF vested rights,
aud were arrayed against each other. The
preludices against the South growing out OF
the war aud its issues, obtains 10 greater or
less degree yet, aud preeludes that careful and
considerato investigation OF this country on
The part of the masses that always amounts
to historical prescription imposed by tho KING
who presdcs over the domain OF ignorance.
In answer To tho question asked me fire..
queutly by letter as 10 tho general iutelligencc,
sobriety and industry OF the people, l say
without tho fear OF successful contradiction,
that no Western State composed OF cosmo-
politan people can make u better showing In
Tho material elemeuts OF progress than tho
people In this same shell aud bigger raising
Texas. 1t has bean my good pleasure To
travel In all portions OF the state from the
"plney woYdsn aud iron hills OF the Eastern
quarter TO tho treoless plains and mineral
bearing mountains OF the center aud Western
llmlts--a distance Of one thousand miles, alsO
from the rich alluvial praries OF the North
central border through the great cotton, corn
aud wheat belt 10 the tranquil waters of the
gulf. Eyeiy iocaiity yisituu, possessed tho un-
mistaknble evidences OF good and virtuous
people Ia the ascendancy. The people here
worship the same God In the sNmu good old
way; build churches, maintain homes aud hos
pliNlA lot lnu uHIuTtWNutt, III tlt same uHhtl'
fish, benevolent and Chrstlan spirit displayed
by the noble people aud public bcnefaetfs OF
the world, OF whatever CLINE or section OF
country, The man, woman or child, OF what
ever CLINE, aud especially the good people OF
the North, nro sought after aud made wei
como here by those OF Southern birth; AFRO In
yitod 10 their caucanses and their eonven-
tons, aud are not only pcrlnitted, but ARE In
vitcd TO express their opinions on all questions
OF public polity and although maintaining
opposite Views IN matters OF church or State,
Just aud indlscrlmlnate hearing Is accorded
all.
TO those asking II Texas Ia an agricultural
State, ! would say, sniphdticdliN yes Perhaps
no equal area In tho Union Will produce 80
much Or show as good results for the labor
expended as this State, Tho two last years
were Unprecedented In the small amount OF
rainfall, especially IN tho central and Western
portion Of the state, notwithstanding which,
Texas produced, IN the two years mentioned,
aud sold SS5,00O,O 20 worth OF cotton; pro-
duced wheat, oats aud corn enough TO sup
lort double her population, and sold besides
the meat consumed NJ home, cattle enough to
feed four states the size OF Iowa, This year,
wheat, now nearly all thrcshed, averaged
throughout the central portion " the state
twenty-five bushels per acre, oats hfty aud
corn and cotton promises greater Weld than
ever before known IN the State. The farmer
has a verltablc picnic, MS the seasons are so
long that no can, by judIclous management,
40 plant his crops that the greatest OF leisure
can be taken IN their harvest, Instead OK
swolterng IN the MONDAY sun, as necessity re-
qulres IN the ahort-seas0ned North, the South
cru yocmnn can retire 10 his broad verandas
OF the friendly shade OF the indigenous china-
berry trea. aud enjoy the balm Of llfe's quiet
pnd repose I'LL the cool and refreshing even
Ing comes, There Is ample time to seed ana
ample time to reap here by working one'fourth
uf tho time, aud when the harvest 10 gathered
Ia M ain hu1 In m N In Ia n
animal heat In man and beast 10 resist TIE
four 10 six months reign of the frost king.
Good agricultural land along the Missouri
Pacific " Texas Pacific railroads, and contlgn.
Gus to good markets, can stu be had NJ priccs
ranging from three TO ten dollars per acre, AND
good improved farms. IN many Instances, can
be had for the latter hgnre from restless
migratory class, who, IN all climes and coull-
tries, move by the watch In given cycles OF
time. The honest farmer can make no mis-
take In coming TO this country 10 engage In
the vocation Of filling the soil or stock grow
Ing, provided he Is willing to do little work
ard not depend entirely on Providence, aud
the "honcsLn farmer would expect TO aid and
supplement the natural conditions with lit
Tie artificial stimulus. Providence does so
much for tho toller here that he unconscious
ly INDUCES the hope that Providence viii do
II ALL aud In some Instances permits the ec-
menls 10 do about all that is done, and II the
results are not satisfactory, poor and mcrcl-
iul providence takes all tho blame.
itB, TINS country BuUuius IA summer, win
ter aud health resorts, but am limited to TOO
short spaco 20 attempt other than general
mention OF this subject / suppose that the
object or purpose OF the summer resort Is to
furnish the resortcr with all possible condl-
lions that contribute TO bis comfort; ut any
rate that Ia the object of the rekorter In re-
sorting. IT bas been nv fortune not many
years ago, TO visit some OF the eel brated aud
Inanr OF the more modest summer resorts OF
the North, aud Ia proportion to lhc enjoyment
had, thought them fraud, indifferent or I'M
mense, but II remained to this year 1857 In the
month OF juno for my cup OF pleasure and'my
measure of enjoyment 10 reach its climax. In
company with trio of Dallas gentlemen I
visited the famous "lsland City," (Galvestosp
and am frank to say that after weeks so.
journ IN the city, that Is perpetually famed
by the soft sea breezes, and that is lullcd TO
sweet aud peaceful repose by the ''inurmur OF
the waves" II Is rrc-emInently HE estacado
colorado summer spot OF the world. Here
the mercury seldom ever rises above 50 aud
not often above 80 degrees, aud cool refresh
ing breeze always comes from the gulf. The
city ID located on an island three miles from
the main land, aud averages about one mile
In width and thirty In length, anl contains
population OF 10000 people j am told that
the finest beach In the world ~ could be no
hner) extends distance OF thirty niles al.
fording drive, the distance mentioned, equal
metropolitan cities. This, In addition TO the
excellent hotels and superb service, the exhl-
arating surf bathing aud pleasure scene OF my
Rad ships tossing on the heavy bosom OF the
grand old gulf, combine to make this spot one
OF surprising comfort and pleasure. IL this
place was better known. the island would not
contain the people who would seek the recre-
alton and pleasure found on lis shores. IL
some of you sport-loylng, aDti-roastipg dis
posed fellows would organize an excursion,
engage train service over the lron Mountain,
International 81 Great Northern Railway, one
OF the finest and best equipped roads In tho
world, and one that trayerscs rich and ro-
mantle country, YOU would spend no more
summers around the narrow Northern lakes
but would enjoy picnic season ~ the South
that would be Instructive. entertaining anu
full Of perpetual Joy, and that would minister
to your health aud comfort and contribute to
yolir lease OF life. Nc.
Dallas, Tex, August, 1887.